← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Ukraine: Forcibly Deported Children
21 May 2025
Lead MP
Johanna Baxter
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Lab
Responding Minister
Stephen Doughty
Tags
ImmigrationUkraine
Word Count: 13218
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Johanna Baxter raised concerns about ukraine: forcibly deported children in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The report highlights that President Putin has directed to streamline bureaucratic barriers for the placement of Ukrainian children into Russian families. I hope the Minister will demonstrate a sense of urgency in getting these children home again.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
At least 19,546 Ukrainian children have been stolen by Russian forces since the start of Putin’s invasion. The official estimates are horrendous enough, but some organisations estimate that the total number could be much higher with up to 700,000 Ukrainian children accepted into Russia. Since April, there has been a systematic abduction and forcible deportation of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territories, including the use of military-style camps for indoctrination and drone warfare training.
Aphra Brandreth
Con
Chester South and Eddisbury
Visited Ukraine with colleagues, where they met officials working on the issue. Shared an account of two young people who were separated from their families and sent to Russia for re-education.
Calum Miller
LD
Bicester and Woodstock
Emphasised the importance of discussing this issue, highlighted the need to work together internationally to combat Russian actions, and questioned the Minister about funding for the Yale lab's critical research.
Chris Bloore
Lab
Redditch
He thanked Johanna Baxter for raising awareness about the situation in Ukraine. He acknowledged her efforts to make people aware of the atrocities being committed there. Discussed the impact on Ukrainian communities living in Redditch and called for further clarity from the Government regarding visa extensions.
West Dunbartonshire
Congratulates Johanna Baxter on her efforts to raise awareness about stolen Ukrainian children. Supports the idea of establishing a national day of action.
Graham Stuart
in the Chair
Called the Minister, reminding them of time constraints.
James Frith
Lab
Bury North
Asked if the UK will formally recognise mass abductions as a violation of international law and whether child return must precede sanctions lifting or peace process completion.
James Naish
Lab
Rushcliffe
Paid tribute to Johanna Baxter for securing a debate on the systematic abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia, acknowledging the harrowing nature of the topic. Highlights the importance of standing up for international law, noting that three sanctions packages target those attempting to deport and indoctrinate Ukrainian children. He asks what further steps can be taken by the UK Government in the future.
Chichester
Suggests supporting not only the return of abducted Ukrainian children but also their reintegration into families through rehabilitation programmes addressing psychological and developmental trauma.
John Milne
LD
Horsham
Shares insights from a visit to Ukraine, emphasizing the commitment of Ukrainians to their cause and the need for supporting Ukraine's army as part of European security. He also stresses that there can be no peace without the return of abducted children.
Leigh Ingham
Lab
Stafford
The removal of funding for conflict observatory at Yale University by the US State Department has drawn criticism and should be preserved and fully funded to continue vital work in tracking identities of 30,000 Ukrainian children taken.
Lisa Smart
LD
Hazel Grove
She joined colleagues in praising Johanna Baxter's work on this issue. She highlighted her recent visit to Kyiv where she met with Ukrainian MPs and the ombudsman, witnessing firsthand the impact of Russia's actions on children.
Glasgow West
Celebrated Ukrainian culture but highlighted the forced deportation of children by Russia, which is stripping Ukraine of its future citizens and erasing their identity.
Honiton and Sidmouth
Independent investigators identified 314 individuals from Ukraine who were placed in Russia’s programme of coerced fostering or adoption, with at least 57 re-education camps operating across Russian-occupied territories. The scale is much larger with an estimated 700,000 Ukrainian children being accepted into Russia since the war began.
Roger Gale
Con
Herne Bay and Sandwich
Asked the Minister about the role of President Trump in pressuring Russia to return Ukrainian children.
Torbay
Congratulated Johanna Baxter on obtaining the debate and highlighted that childhood is short, urging for urgent action to return Ukrainian children home.
Wendy Morton
Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
Welcomes the debate and highlights Russia’s deliberate state-sponsored assault on Ukrainian identity, sovereignty, and humanity. Acknowledges past Conservative Government actions in supporting Ukraine but urges continued boldness in response to Putin's cruelty.
Will Forster
LD
Woking
Emphasized the scale of child abduction from Ukraine, citing research that shows high levels of psychological trauma among displaced children. He called for more urgent action by the UK Government to support efforts like 'Bring Kids Back UA' and urged closer cooperation with the US.
Government Response
Stephen Doughty
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Government Response
Acknowledges the unity in support for Ukraine and condemns the forcible deportation of children. Announces £11.3 million to help document war crimes and a contribution of £2 million to the International Criminal Court for evidence gathering. Stated that the UK is working closely with the US, European partners, and the Ukrainian Government to find a just, lasting and sustainable ceasefire. Mentioned ongoing efforts including meetings in recent days to address the issue of Ukrainian children being deported to Russia.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.